Casillas endorses Real flop Woodgate

Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas is confident Jonathan Woodgate will be a success whoever he joins after leaving Real Madrid next summer.

The Spanish giants confirmed on Tuesday a fee had been agreed for Woodgate to complete a permanent move to Middlesbrough once his loan period finishes at the end of the season.

"In the short time he has been with Real Madrid, he has suffered greatly through injury," said Casillas. "But he has shown a lot of quality as a player. He was getting his form back, which was one of the reasons he went to Middlesbrough. I am sure he will do well wherever he goes."

Woodgate himself has not yet decided what the future holds, preferring instead to concentrate on the present, which takes him to Old Trafford tonight for England's friendly with Spain.

However, even though Woodgate's time in Madrid has been dogged by injury, Casillas has seen enough to know how good the former Leeds defender can be.

"It would be a shame if Jonathan left us," he added. "You always want to keep great players - and he is a great player."

Casillas will come face-to-face with Woodgate as a Spain side containing Liverpool duo Xabi Alonso and Pepe Reina, plus Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas look to launch a revival following a disastrous start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Unexpected defeats to Northern Ireland and Sweden have piled the pressure on Luis Aragones, who also presided over a disappointing World Cup campaign.

Speculation is mounting Aragones will be replaced, possibly before next month's key encounter with Denmark, if England inflict major damage this evening.

And, in calling for a united front to face the challenges ahead, Casillas hardly offered a ringing endorsement of the under-fire coach. "Luis is a very hard working person who puts a lot of effort into his job.," he said.